Famous Sausalito recording studio gets new use

The famed Plant Studios in Sausalito — where artists such as Fleetwood Mac, Carlos Santana and Metallica have recorded — will have part of its space transformed for yoga, dance and other classes after the City Council approved the plan this week.

Jennifer Adler, a Sausalito resident, went to the Planning Commission in September for a permit to use half of the 10,000-square-foot building at 2200 Bridgeway for Harmonia, her "cultural school" focusing on personal growth and development.

She plans to fix up and clean the exterior of the building, which has been weathered over the years.

The Planning Commission voted unanimously against Adler's plan, saying it didn't comply with the city's planning blueprint for the Marinship Area, which emphasizes businesses connected to water, such as boat building.

But on Tuesday, the City Council reversed the Planning Commission decision, giving a 3-2 approval for the school.

Mayor Herb Weiner said it was important to get some type of use in the building before it deteriorated. He liked the idea of it offering classes.

"It is serving Sausalito," said Weiner, who was joined by councilmen Ray Withy and Thomas Theodores in approving the school.

But some city officials believed Harmonia branded itself as an educational facility to take advantage of a line in the Marinship plan that allows for "business, professional, trade and cultural schools."

Councilman Jonathan Leone — along with Councilwoman Linda Pfeifer — voted against the project, saying it didn't seem to fit the guidelines of the Marinship Plan.

"I'm still not quite sure what the business is," Leone said.

Harmonia's owner said her business will provide a service for the city.

"There are 3,000 employees in the Marinship and we can provide services to those people and others," Adler said. "We are super-excited."

Recording still can occur at the Plant, but that aspect of the building has been largely dormant of late.

The building is owned by Marin Mortgage Bankers.

The music studio was opened in 1972 and gained fame as a "resort studio" in its heyday. Many of rock's greatest hits were recorded at the Plant, including Fleetwood Mac's "Rumours," Metallica's "Load" and "Reload" and Santana's "Supernatural."